The gold-medal winner, who earned his Blade Runner nickname because of his prosthetic racing legs, was supported by his father Henke, brother Carl and sister Aimee as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder.

His family and management company later issued a staunch denial of the allegation on behalf of the track superstar.

They said: “Firstly, and most importantly, all our thoughts today must be with the family and friends of Reeva Steenkamp.

“Oscar Pistorius has appeared in court here in Pretoria this morning formally charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms.”

Reeva Steenkamp, who has been shot. Her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius has been charged with her girlfriend

The statement added: “Oscar Pistorius has made history as an Olympic and Paralympic sportsman and has been an inspiration to others the world over.

“He has made it very clear that he would like to send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva.

“He would also like to express his thanks through us today for all the messages of support he has received - but as stated our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family, regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy.”

Pistorius was met by a media frenzy as he arrived at the packed court dressed in a grey suit and blue tie this morning.

Earlier, he attempted to obscure his identity, covering his face with a jacket and a note pad as he was driven into the precincts.

The hearing came after a two-hour delay while the athlete’s lawyers objected to the scrum of local and international reporters who turned out to witness his appearance.

During the hearing before magistrates, lawyers representing the athlete asked to postpone an application for bail until next week to “allow time for their own investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy”, his management company said.

Pistorius’s arrest yesterday triggered shock across the globe and prompted rumours that he might have mistaken his girlfriend for an intruder in what could have been a Valentine’s Day surprise gone wrong.

Oscar Pistorius with his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who has been killed

But police swiftly distanced themselves from the suggestion and said there had been previous incidents of a “domestic nature” at Pistorius’s property.

Steenkamp’s body was discovered at around 3am after neighbours reported hearing screams and gunshots from the sprinter’s home.

According to the Beeld newspaper, the model was blasted four times through a bathroom door.

Officers said she was shot in the head and upper body. They recovered a 9mm pistol from the scene.

Since then, there has been heated speculation over what occurred in the early hours of the morning.

A picture has emerged of a volatile man who was said to sleep with a revolver by his bedside and a machine gun by his window amid fears for his safety.

He began dating Steenkamp, a law graduate, in November and the couple were dubbed the Posh and Becks of South Africa.

Her publicist Sarit Tomlinson paid tribute to “the sweetest human being and an absolute angel on earth” following her death and said the model was “about to hit the big time”.

Oscar Pistorius weeps in court at his bail hearing in the murder case of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Asked about Steenkamp’s relationship with Pistorius, Ms Tomlinson told BBC Radio 5: “They had been together for a couple of months and it’s been a fabulous relationship - a healthy, fabulous relationship.”

She spoke out as the athlete was taken to Pretoria’s Mamelodi Day Hospital in a police convoy for a “standard” medical examination.

Meanwhile, forensic officers carried out searches at his home.

A gun was later pictured in what appeared to be an evidence bag.

Pistorius will be held at a local police station until his next court appearance, after today’s proceedings were adjourned.

A bail hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, when police are expected to oppose the application.

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